Migrant Tales (July 8, 2012): The absurdity of the reverse-racism argument in Finland

Every now and then you’ll hear a visitor on Migrant Tales claim: What about [reverse] racism against [white] Finns!? Racism is a complex problem but one matter singles it out: It is an effective tool to socially exclude, control and exploit other groups in society from vital resources such as jobs and economic wealth.

The fact that white Finns are the standard of everything in Finland is enough proof that they wield real power. White Finns don’t have to understand racism because they simply don’t have to. It’s not an issue because they are the standard of this society, the norm. Everyone else has a prefix attached to them like immigrant, immigrant descendant, black, Roma etc.

It is surprising that when the PS made their preposterous statement, few if any media in this country understood how racist and grotesque it was and how it revealed a serious case of colorblind racism (let’s pretend we’re equal because ethnic background does not matter, when in fact it does).

Colorblind racism works in Finland in an implicit and explicit manner. Its aim is the same: ethnic background is not the issue. If it is an issue, it’s your ethnic background.

· We have such a wonderful society that we are way past racism so get over it (explicit colorblind racism);

· It’s your culture, your parents or you that is hindering adaption to our society. In this case I recognize your ethnic background but only to shift blame and wash my hands of the problem (implicit colorblind racism).

Accusing a visible minority, or immigrant of being racist against white Finns, is a good example of implicit colorblind racism. Since racism isn’t a problem in our society, it can’t be my problem. It’s your problem.

Some successful immigrants or visible minorities who have succeeded in Finland may reinforce the same colorblind racist argument as white Finns. They may claim: ”I’m not white but I adapted to the white Finns’ world. That is why I am successful. You too can be.”

Those immigrants who have racism issues usually come from countries where such a social ill is the standard. It’s easy for them to accept the white Finn as a standard because they too were the norm in their former home country. As a result, some embrace the idea of becoming a Tuomo-setä, or Uncle Tom, because they are encouraged to and rewarded by white Finnish society for such behavior.

If you are ever confronted by a person who uses the reverse-racism argument, ask him or her how is the prejudice of a minority as devastating as that of the majority?

White Finns should stop whining about reverse racism because it isn’t an issue. It’s only one of many loaded arguments used by them to justify their racism.

Related

It is surprising that when the PS made their preposterous statement, few if any media in this country understood how racist and grotesque it was and how it revealed a serious case of colorblind racism (let’s pretend we’re equal because ethnic background does not matter, when in fact it does).

There is no such thing as colorblind racism. That is just an invented term made up for using discrimination against members of majority.

It’s like when racism has been got rid of in some area, when everyone are equal no matter of the ethnic background, someone comes and says “This is not enough” and demands even more for the minority. That is in other words racism against majority. And everyone who opposes that kind of racism, you call them colorblind racists.

If you are ever confronted by a person who uses the reverse-racism argument, ask him or her how is the prejudice of a minority as devastating as that of the majority?

When an individual confronts an individual, there are no majorities or minorities. There are just one versus one. Therefore your arguments about racism having to do anything with being in majority or in minority is nullified. It pays no role here. A Somali can be just as racist against a Finn as a Finn can be against a Somali. There’s no question about it.